York Minster Choir perform at the York Early Music Festival

13 July 2013

York Minster will be the site of a grand musical journey from Rome to York next week, as it hosts the grand finale of the 2013 York Early Music Festival.

York Minster Choir will be the centrepiece of the Rome in York Minster concert on 13 July, which will bring to life a treasure from the Minster’s historic collection – plainsong from the York Missal.

The Missal, manuscripts of which are held in the Minster’s archives, will be performed alongside mass movements from Palestrina’s famous Missa Papae Marcelli and Victoria’s motets, with several of the works for double choir.

“The evening provides a rare opportunity to hear early music from the Minster’s own archives alongside expressive vocal works from Victoria and the arching melodies of Palestrina, all performed in the spectacular setting of the Minster’s nave,” Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster explained.

 “The concert forms part of an impressive year of music at the Minster, with special evening organ recitals taking place during August, and further performances by York Minster Choir - including Handel’s Messiah - in December.”

The programme has been designed to celebrate the opening of the Minster’s new Undercroft, where visitors can enjoy a 2000 year journey from York Minster’s Roman foundations to modern day.

The 2013 York Early Music Festival runs from 5 – 13 July and focuses on the unrivalled musical heritage of Rome, from the time of the medieval Popes, through the Renaissance polyphony of Palestrina to exuberant baroque of Handel.

Three other events will take place at the Minster as part of the festival:

• 5 July, at 7.30pm: Yorkshire Bach Choir and Yorkshire Bach Soloists directed by Peter Seymour give the festival’s opening concert.
• 10 July at 7.30pm: Sinfonye with University of York Chamber Choir: Vespers for St Hildegard composed and directed by Stevie Wishart.
• 12 July at 7.30pm: The Sixteen with Harry Christophers: The Queen of Heaven.

Rome in York Minster starts at 7.30pm on Saturday 13 July, with tickets priced from £12-£25 (from £5 for concessions). For more details, visit www.yorkminster.org. Full details for the Summer of Music evening organ recitals in August and the York Minster Choir performances in December can also be found on the York Minster website.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. 1.       The Summer of Music evening organ recitals take place on Saturdays throughout August and feature:

• 3 August at 7pm: Andrew Millington, from Exeter Cathedral
• 10 August at 7pm: David Pipe, York Minster’s Assistant Director of Music
• 17 August at 7pm: Gordon Stewart, from Huddersfield Town Hall
• 24 August at 7pm: John Scott Whiteley, Organist Emeritus of York Minster
• 31 August at 7pm: Robert Sharpe, York Minster’s Director of Music

Tickets are available now and range from £8 - £9.

1. 2.       The York Minster Choir performances in December include:

• York Minster’s popular Christmas Carol Concerts will take place on the 5 and 6 December at 7pm
•  Handel’s Messiah will be performed on 14 December at 7.30pm

Tickets for all three December performances go on sale in September.

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